Redesigning YouTube Music for a more intuitive and brand experience
Yay! hello guys, this is my first post about a case study of YouTube Music. I like to follow new technologies and trends out there, and I spend time to find out how I can improve certain things and make them easy to use. I use Figma and Principle as my main creative tools for prototype. I’d like to share my vision about YouTube Music. And, Your feedback is appreciated :)
Introduction
In 2019, I canceled my Apple Music subscription and started subscribing to YouTube premium because I could take benefits from both YouTube and YouTube Music with one subscription. I was satisfied with “no advertisements” on YouTube, yet I faced some frustrations with YouTube Music.
Why did I choose it? I admit that the cost was a tempting factor, and many others were also making the same choices for the same reason. After some thought, I realized that with some deeper insight on what the pros and cons are there are of using this app. I could make an informed decision on my subscription.
The contents seem redundant and disorganized
Frankly, the categories and mixture of tracks that come with them are disorganized and often leave feeling lost or overwhelmed. And, redundancy is a problem. Many of the suggested tracks or songs are ones that I already listen to. While I understand songs may fall under multiple categories, I can’t help but to feel an unoriginality by the repetitive appearances they make.
Certain categories or playlist seem to be “space filters”, almost like an excuse to increase content.
Let’s take Your Evening Music for example. More songs that I already listen to or have already been recommended to me in another category or playlist, and all of this complicated design is really doing, is making me spend more time to add and check songs down the list.
I am not sure if it is just an extension of YouTube.
Unlike other music streaming app, YouTube Music has some playlists, which include video from YouTube that are uploaded by a random user. It could be a strength of YouTube Music, but it dose not use it properly. Also, I found a suggestion that are mixed with artist’s youtube pages songs, and playlists together. Therefore, I could not see its clear brand identity.
I am actually using the music app with success with some playlists that I’ve created already with YouTube. I feel this app is struggling between staying loyal to its parent(YouTube), or to fly independent from the nest.
As a youtube music fan, I’d like to see this app to have its own identity, and mature as much as other successful music streaming app
Here’s how I approached to improve this application.
1. Core Experience: Drag and drop listing
2. Brand Identity: Youtube Music’s Specialty
1. :Drag and drop listing
The biggest difference between YouTube Music and other music apps is users can connect their playlists from YouTube. Therefore, many YouTube Music users already have their own playlists in YouTube, and it is actually better to use their own playlists because there are too many random videos from random users. For example, I was letting the app to choose the next music, and it chose 50 minute length video that is consist of many songs.
However, some users actually do digging some independent musicians who are not that famous. This is what they have done with YouTube.
This fact made me to come up with gamified experience idea. Therefore, I made playful and easy user experience for adding music in their existing playlists. This is much an easier and more intuitive way to add songs.
2. Brand Identity : Youtube Music’s Specialty
On YouTube, you can see some random playlists made by the users of YouTube. I think this is one of the most powerful brand identity of YouTube Music. You can use resources and connect with users from YouTube.
Therefore, I have created a special section called “YouDJ” (If you have any good idea about name, it is always welcome! 🙏🏻)that only shows playlists of users. The DJs could get votes from other users and increase their followers. This can increase participation of users.
